By Mister happy
February 23 2004

With the exception of the severely short sighted it is pretty obvious for all to see that the Walsall brand of “Total Football” is some way wide of the mark.

With the exception of the severely short sighted it is pretty obvious for all to see that the Walsall brand of “Total Football” is some way wide of the mark.

As the search for our first victory of 2004 continues, the on field performances have steadily deteriorated to such an extent that we appear to have completely lost our way. The team are currently leaderless, do not appear to know what they are supposed to do and more worryingly don’t seem to give a hoot.

We have an elderly team (politely put) that is currently imploding and as sure as eggs are eggs the team will completely self destruct by the end of the season. In what division we will end up in is anyone’s guess.

Looking at the glass is half full side of things, should we manage to avoid relegation this year we will only be putting off the inevitable.

Like it or not, Samways (Pictured >) is an influential player and he is key to how the Saddlers finish up this season. One thing is certain; he won’t be here next season. The same can be said of Merse, an extremely influential player whose destiny is very much unknown given his well publicised “problems”.

Both of the players just mentioned have a tremendous amount of ability but the negative aura surrounding them at the moment must surely be having a detrimental affect on the team.

Ritchie (< Pictured) will not be with us next year as he openly admits he wants to better himself and doubts remain as to whether Jimmy Walker will still be at the club (a major concern in my book as I still suffer sleepless nights caused by the Petterson effect).

Also, given that Bazeley has forgotten how to play football, Birch never could play football and Emblen is about as mobile as a lame goat it is safe to say that we are sailing into very stormy waters.

Due to the well publicised lack of funds made available to the manager he has naturally decided to opt for a smaller squad consisting of more experienced players. Unfortunately, the youth set up is such that there are no real up and coming youngsters challenging for a first team spot leaving our hopes and dreams for the future resting on the young shoulders of Fryatt and Taylor.

Given such circumstances it is now paramount that the club looks to the future with immediate effect and takes action accordingly. Failure to do so could well see the club on the road to rack and ruin. Should we get relegated things need to be in place that will enable us to consolidate in the second division or we risk dropping straight through into the footballing basement. And before I am accused of being ever so slightly dramatic, it has happened previously as anyone over the age of 30 will testify.

As we are taught in industry, if you drain the sea of inventory you will soon see the rocks. We must act now to prevent us from sailing onto stony ground. 

The future of the club is in very serious danger.